CVS Health, a pharmacy innovation company, is increasing its presence in the metro Orlando, Florida. The company will open a 112,000 square foot facility and by creating 500 new jobs over the next two years.

The new facility will support the company’s existing specialty pharmacies by providing customers with disease education; pharmacy and medication counseling; benefits verification; medication dispensing; and coordination of care with multiple healthcare providers. CVS Health will open its Orange County facility in early 2016, and will hire pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and administrative staff.

“At CVS Health, we are pleased to expand our footprint in Florida and bring new jobs to this community,” said Alan M. Lotvin, M.D., Executive Vice President CVS/Specialty and CVS Health. “As our specialty pharmacy business continues to expand, we are growing our operations to support the increasing number of patients on complex drug therapies.”

Bill Johnson, President/CEO of Enterprise Florida, said, “CVS’ decision to create 500 new jobs in Orlando is not just great news for Central Florida, but our entire state. Globally recognized companies like CVS only pick the best places for business to expand, and so their decision shows that we are continuing to invest in our economy and diversify for the future.”

Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “CVS Health’s expansion is another big win for the Orlando economy. Floridians are back to work because of a growing economy supported by sound economic policy. We need to keep lowering taxes and making it easy to do business in the Sunshine State.”

The project was made possible through partnerships between the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, The Orlando Economic Development Commission, Orange County, and Enterprise Florida.

“CVS Health is a company focused on healthcare innovation and we are happy to see their specialty pharmacy, as a part of our larger life sciences and healthcare industry, grow in the region by expanding its presence in Orlando,” said Rick Weddle, President/CEO of the Orlando Economic Development Commission.